It didn't take long for business to proceed as usual in Jorrvaskr. Well, almost usual. Kodlak's "support" of Elanna manifested in a several different ways; though barely anything had changed, the others could feel the difference in Elanna's status among the warriors and that made them restless. Elanna was suddenly exempt from the petty requests most whelps were put through, being allowed to train instead; she didn't take on Companion requests with her fellow whelps – either she paired with Farkas or Aela, or she asked Lydia to accompany her. These measures were mostly on Kodlak's insistence for her own safety after her abduction, but it also made her a target for her fellow whelp's ire. Most flagrant though, was that Kodlak allowed Elanna to leave Jorrvaskr whenever it was necessary for as many days as she deemed fit, under the guise of sending her on a "special mission" on his behalf. This new rhythm continued for nearing on a month, and tensions only rose with each passing day. The latest of these trips outside Jorrvaskr took longer than Elanna had said to Kodlak whn she set out, because as she returned she was summoned before the Jarl as an advocate of the College of Winterhold to investigate the darkness settling in his son.
When she'd finished it was nearing the end of the day, but Elanna made a point to avoid Jorrvaskr and headed straight to Breezeholme. She pushed through the door and breathlessly sank into the nearest chair.
"My Thane!" Lydia shot down the stairs. Elanna shook, gripping a two-handed ebony sword. "My Thane please, tell me what ails you!" The Nord grabbed her Thane's shoulders, but Elanna didn't respond to the touch. It was only when Lydia reached to take the sword that life seemed to return to the frail Wood Elf. Her hand shot out to grab Lydia's in a vice-like grip and her face snapped up to look at her housecarl with wild eyes.
"Don't touch it!" Elanna hissed.
"…my…my Thane I…" They stayed there a few moments before Elanna fully resurfaced. She let go Lydia, who was at that point starting to tremble, and motioned for her to sit down.
Elanna grabbed a nearby pitcher of water, handing her housecarl a glass before placing the sword very carefully on the table and sitting back down.
"I didn't mean to scare you Lydi. Are you hurt?"
"No, my Thane. I'm simply concerned for you, how goes your mission?"
"Lydia you're my best friend, I've told you not to be so formal." A smile curled on Elanna's lips. "It went well enough, but I'm left in a predicament. In fact, I think I need you to do me a favour." Elanna sighed.
"Anything." Lydia squeezed Elanna's fingers.
"That." Elanna gestured with a wave to the sword resting on the table. "It contains a nugget of Mephala's power."
"The daedric prince of murder? That's what was affecting Jarl Balgruuf's son?" Lydia's eyes widened as Elanna simply nodded.
"The whole way here, the sword whispered to me. She wanted me to…" Elanna trailed of, ashamed, but forced herself to continue. "She was trying to get me to kill you."
"I… see." Lydia's face was blank as she took in that information and Elanna offered her a rueful smile.
"It's dangerous, Lydi. Mephala pushes you to plot murder, especially of those you care about most. If someone got a hold of it… I need you to take it away from here at first light."
"Of course, I understand."
"You remember where Sky Haven Temple is? Near Makarth? Take the blade to Delphine, have her hide it somewhere in its depths. Whatever you do, don't touch it. Wrap it in a cloth or something." Elanna glanced over at the blade once more, eyeing it warily as Lydia pulled out some cloth from a cupboard to wrap the blade in. Elanna lifted it and Lydia unfurled the cloth then pulled it over to cover the blade tucking in the ends.
Elanna was about to head up to bed when Lydia piped up again.
"Humour me my Thane, did the sword push you to kill just me or…?"
"No actually-" Elanna stopped herself. How would she explain the sword was pushing her kill a certain rugged Nord, the man who still hadn't spoken more than two words to her for what seemed like an age? Even more embarrassing, how would she explain how abhorrent that felt to her, how unfathomably-
"Thane?" Lydia's voice broke Elanna out of her thoughts as she peered curiously at her.
"Uh, sorry, yes, it was trying to have me kill Kodlak. Yes. Kodlak. Kodlak and Aela." Lydia simply rolled her eyes at Elanna's reply.
"So it was Vilkas, yes?" Elanna's face reddened, but she said nothing.
"Why don't you just speak with him about the kidnapping?"
"How? He won't speak to me. He won't train with me. He's angry with me and he won't allow me anywhere near him so I can put it right."
"Well that is quite the dilemma. My Thane, I believe that your situation may possibly be doomed."
…
By the time Elanna woke the next day, Lydia had already set out on her journey. Elanna locked the door as she left her house and wandered out into the early morning light finally ready to return to Jorrvaskr. The early hours meant that her walk was relatively peaceful, as vendors had only just begun to sell their wares. The hall was also in its' calm before the storm; as Elanna walked in Tilma was carrying bread and placing it in arms reach for when the warriors awoke for their morning meal.
"Miss Oakshade!" She would've clapped her hands in glee except if she had she would have dropped the dish of breads.
"Tilma!" Elanna returned just as warmly. "Is Kodlak up yet?"
"I believe so, he's in his living quarters downstairs."
"Thanks." Elanna manoeuvred her way around the table carefully so as not to spoil Tilma's preparations, and bolted down the stairs into the living quarters… so fast that she didn't spot the man at the bottom of the staircase until she'd slammed into him at terminal velocity. Strong arms wrapped around her waist to root her in place so she didn't stumble; Elanna's heart skipped a beat as she looked up to meet his icy blue stare, realising just how close to him she was.
"Sorry Vilkas I wasn't looking-"
"Where have you been?" Elanna couldn't help but gasp at the amount of venom injected in his question.
"I… I was on a mission for Kodlak. You know-" The Nord simply grunted at her in response, brushing past to head into the hall. Elanna thought she would wince, but she'd gotten so used to his cold shoulder that the pang of guilt had dulled considerably. Though, her eyes still lingered on his back, wishing she could say something, until he'd walked out of her line of sight. Another big hand clapping on her shoulder brought her out of her thoughts as Farkas smiled brightly at her.
"He's just grouchy. Kodlak is waiting for you."
"I should go see him. See you later?" Farkas grinned in a manner that was suspiciously close to the mischievous grin Aela had when she was planning something, but rather than question it Elanna chose to let it go as she made her way to Kodlak's quarters.
Once again, Elanna found herself knocking on the door of Kodlak's study apprehensively. She suspected Kodlak purposely made his charges wait outside the room longer than necessary, though there was no purpose for him to do so.
"Come in." His voice was not as jovial as usual, and when Elanna entered she could tell he was deep in thought about something or the other.
"I can come back another time…?" She said softly, and his brow furrowed. It was clear he was troubled, but he tried to hide it as he looked up at Elanna with a brighter expression.
"Oh don't worry about me dear, here sit and tell me of your mission." He motioned the seat opposite him.
"Of course I worry. I owe you enough that my story can wait; let me half one of your burdens for a change." Elanna said gently, sitting forward in her seat. The old man sighed, and for a minute Elanna thought he would not speak, but then he started up again.
"What creed do you follow, Elanna?"
"Excuse me?"
"You are Bosmer; your people have their own Pantheon, yet you curse so colourfully using our Divines. Which Gods do you truly believe in?"
Elanna pondered the question for a while before answering.
"I was raised in Cyrodiil, the Imperial Divines are the only Gods I've ever known. My parents had to embrace your Gods as equal to the greatest God of my people, the Great Oak Y'ffre. I have done the same."
"So you believe in Sovengarde?"
"I suppose."
"I believe." He stated while taking a sip of mead. "I believe that it exists, but also that the way is not open to me. Certain… decisions of my past, have closed Sovengarde for me. It is one of my greatest regrets."
"What do you mean…?"
"You… you will understand soon. I'm having Farkas take you back to Dustman's Cairn. There… there the answer will be made clear."
"Old man, you know I don't like it when you go all philosophical," Elanna grinned at him. "If that helps you with whatever is troubling you, then I shall."